Time Warner 24hr Cable Stations?

[dlr2133]

Anyone here had any experience working for them? They run 24 hour local news in NYC (NY1), Albany (Capital News 9), Rochester (RNews), Binghamton, Austin (News 8 Austin), Charlotte and Raleigh (News 14 Carolina).

They're all one-man-band shops, even the bigger markets. Wondering how employees like/dislike the shops, and what they're like to work for.

Thanks.

[TAFKA wacowx]

They pay much less than working for a 'true' network affiliate in each market and they have done a lot of consolidation in the last few years, meaning doing weather for three places out of a centralized city and the like. I have not noticed any expansion like around 2000...in fact in Texas, we have even lost two of them in two major cities: Houston and San Antonio. I would be worried about job security, though I hear at least some of them are becoming profitable.

Ratings are mere blips. But if you want to be able to cover breaking news non-stop and get some experience, this is the place since they are 24/7 they can afford to cover more prolonged events than the networks can. They are also the only way to break into certain markets with minimal experience. BUT don't expect to move across the street to one of the main shops in the bigger markets just because you have been working there.

[vuphinder]

Free cable!

[dlr2133]

waco-

Would you recommend one for someone with 3 years experience - as a second jump?

[McFish]

Actually there has been some expansion in the past year in NC and in NY.

And ratings are not necessarily "mere blips" especially during weather events.

[TAFKA wacowx]

Originally posted by McFish:
And ratings are not necessarily "mere blips" especially during weather events.So, there are some shops that actually beat affils, or are we still talking a percentage of the main channels' ratings?

dlr:
It might be a good second move, depending on what you want. Certainly no reason not to send a tape. Make your decision based on the offer. Is it one you could accept? Would you be under contract? Would you like the city?

[ June 05, 2007, 07:51 AM: Message edited by: wacowx ]

[Gail sirens]

Bay News 9 in Tampa would be a good second move.

[TVS]

Bay News 9 has no one-man bands. All photogs. But, they aren't owned by Time-Warner, they are owned by Bright House.

[Red5]

When I worked in Rochester R News did only taped newscasts. There was no such thing as continuous breaking news. The product was pretty poor. The talent was weak as well.